The Children of Parents Exposed to Atomic Bombs: Estimates of the Genetic Doubling Dose of Radiation for Humans

TLDR

The long‑term data from Hiroshima and Nagasaki on children of atomic‑bomb survivors and a control group were analyzed using updated radiation dose estimates. The authors calculated minimal gametic doubling doses for individual indicators at various probability levels and estimated the most probable doubling dose for combined indicators. No significant effects were observed for eight indicators, but the estimated gametic doubling dose ranges from 1.7 to 2.2 Sv for acute exposure and 3.4 to 4.5 Sv for chronic exposure, indicating humans are less sensitive to genetic radiation effects than previously thought.

Abstract

The data collected in Hiroshima and Nagasaki during the past 40 years on the children of survivors of the atomic bombings and on the children of a suitable control population are analyzed on the basis of the newly revised estimates of radiation doses. No statistically significant effects emerge with respect to eight different indicators. Since, however, it may confidently be assumed some mutations were induced, we have taken the data at face value and calculated the minimal gametic doubling doses of acute radiation for the individual indicators at various probability levels. An effort has also been made to calculate the most probable doubling dose for the indicators combined. The latter value is between 1.7 and 2.2 Sv. It is suggested the appropriate figure for chronic radiation would be between 3.4 and 4.5 Sv. These estimates suggest humans are less sensitive to the genetic effects of radiation than has been assumed on the basis of past extrapolations from experiments with mice.